Graphic Design. What is it? What part does it play in your business? Why shouldn’t you do it on your own?
You probably already know what Graphic Design means, but we wanted to be cute and checked out the Merriam-Webster dictionary which defines graphic design as “the art or profession of using design elements (such as typography and images) to convey information or create an effect.” Simply put, Graphic Design is a creative marketing service that’s purpose is to create a visual representation of your brand meant to drive your consumers to purchase your product or service.
If you’ve been following our journey, you’re already aware of our love for the creative arts and our message that investing in creative is an instrumental asset when it comes to marketing and advertising your product or service. One of the services BKN Creative offers our clients is Graphic Design. In our opinion, if you want your brand to stand out and THRIVE, it all starts with amazing Graphic Design that catches your audience’s attention.
Graphic Design is a tool that allows you to convey a message to your audience clearly and effectively through logo design, package design, illustration, website design, and much more. It is the first step in putting an identity to your brand and is what makes your journey memorable to your audience. Not to mention, it is the perfect opportunity to show your creativity while positioning your brand as a leader in your industry. So what are the steps to developing a healthy graphic design strategy within your brand, and why should you know the importance of it. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Imagine this, you are in a liquor store, and you’re looking for a perfect bottle of wine. Now, you are no sommelier, but you know you like red, possibly with an ice cube or two in it (no judgment here), and there is no one to help you. What do you do? Chances are, you are going to find the most attractive bottle on the shelf. Of course, pricing will hold weight in your decision, $9.99 to be exact, so you cruise the price tags first but quickly find yourself checking out the bottles with the best labels. There it is! The bottle with the best label design will more than likely get your vote. That is why Graphic Design is an essential creative element to any business.
No matter the industry if you are selling goods or services, your branding is one of the first things a consumer will notice about you; sooo show it off!! But seriously, show it off. Consumers are stimulated by visuals, and they tend to be emotional purchasers. The likelihood of your target audience going with a competitor that has a more user-friendly website, beautifully designed branding, or creative assets that represent them as an individual is very high. Putting more effort into, and spending more time on graphic design will instantly build your brand awareness and thus increase your ROI.
Can I do it on my own?
Absolutely. Technically you can do whatever the f*ck you want to do ;). You can also give yourself a colonoscopy, draft your own insurance plans, or add an addition to your home… but you don’t. Why? Because you are more than likely not the expert in that particular field. You probably haven’t spent years crafting your skills in that specific trade which means there may be tricks of the business that you are unaware of.
Ok so that may have been a bit… dramatic, but its all in good fun. In our society, people don’t find value in the arts. Many think because it is (in a sense) a trade that anyone can do it regardless of their experience. And yeah, in some cases that is true. Many businesses can get away without focusing a lot of time on their brand collateral. Word of mouth marketing can get you pretty far, but without a significant focus on your graphic design efforts, you may never get to your true potential. Your brand is an extension of yourself, and you should want to showcase it to the best of your ability.
What does a Graphic Designer do?
A great Graphic Designer is, in a way, a jack of all trades. They should be able to design everything that puts a face to your brand. They are masters at logo design, print collateral (letterheads, business cards, brochures, etc.), web design, digital ads, large format printing, and more. They must know programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects, and can even use them with their eyes closed. Ideally, your Graphic Designer should be able to take you from a nonexistent brand to a full-fledged business with no issues.
As you can see, graphic design is more complicated than most people think. Graphic Designers are trained to be able to inform, persuade, direct, organize, entertain, and attract attention with their designs in order to communicate with an audience and give off a professional impression for your brand. It is essential to go to experts that understand the right steps to design and follow the marketing industry to ensure success for you and your brand.
If you are looking for the right designer to help propel your brand, be sure to connect with us here at BKN Creative! Our goal, our mission, and our purpose are to help brands large and small develop, create, and implement their unique visual story. Using tactics from a wide range of innovative capabilities, we design and produce authentic brand experiences that inspire.
Lastly, but most importantly, remember that no matter what you end up doing, do it with creativity.
